Life of an Erasmus Student

They say that palmar skin patterns might change once you gain more life experience. If someone read your hand before and after the completion of the Erasmus exchange program, this person might be surprised by the differences.

“Life-changing”, “memorable”, “essential to growth” - ten students shared their Erasmus experience during the presentation event organized by MDX Exchange team for the university’s partners. The stories of the speakers varied from a practical “pros and cons” evaluation to a nostalgic look back. Two incoming students were highlighting the meaningful aspects of their exchange period at Middlesex.

The BA English student Nikola Savic, coming from the University of Belgrade, reflected on his overall Erasmus experience emphasising the given opportunity for personal growth.

“The best way to improve is to get out of your comfort zone and discover a new world. That’s what student exchanges are all about. Taking that leap of faith will enhance all aspects of your being”.

I was another of the presenters talking about how much my time studying at Middlesex University and my life in London had affected and reshaped my future.

It’s worth mentioning that before moving from Iceland to the UK, I had an intermediate three-month stop in St. Petersburg, my home town. This might explain why the culture shift didn’t seem as harsh as it could have been.

If one looks at the statistics, they would probably be amused to know that the population of Iceland is less than the number of inhabitants in the borough of Barnet. Once you move from the island with the primarily monolingual and ethnically homogeneous community, it takes time to get used to the diversity of the megapolis.

For the majority of students moving away from home, the discovery of their new town starts with the university.

The Sheppard Library that possesses a notable collection of materials and provides immediate service has been my most favourite spot at the campus. I’m still amazed by the idea of 24-hour access, which is one of the features that makes this place more home-like. Inside the wrapped-in-felt cubicle, with a pile of books and hot chocolate, it might feel even cosier than your own bedroom.

Of course, the library isn’t the only aspect of the whole study experience. I will not go into the detailed explanation of how distinct the education system in Iceland is from the one in Britain. If compared to people, the teaching principles at two institutions differ as much as introverts and extroverts. The former refers to the University of Iceland with a more classic model based on lectures and instant exam/ quizzes, while the latter is about classes at Middlesex where you always have a room for discussion and brainstorming sessions.